Adjustable theater chair



y 14, J. M. BIRDSALL ADJUSTABLE THEATER CHAIR Filed Oct. 8, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet n b! 1E5.-- 1- 4 uZ/m M. Birdsa 22' y 14, 1929- J. M. BIRDSALL I 1,712,727

ADJUSTABLE THEATER CHAIR Filed Oct. 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 gmmntoz J @222: M .Bi-rrlsdll.

May 14, 1929. BlRDSALL 1,712,727

ADJUSTABLE THEATER CHAIR Filed Oct. 192 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 gwve'n rc w /Ln MT Bardaazl Patented May 14, 1929.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN M. BIRDSALL, OF TOMS BIVER, NEW JERSEY.

Amos-mean THEATER cimm.

Application filed October 8, 1927. Serial No. 224,864.

This invention relates to seating furniture for public places of assembly, such as theaters, churches, halls and auditorium's, and provides for ready ingress and egress of patrons between the rows of seats, with a minimum inconvenience to those occupying seats, without requiring them to rise, thus avoiding the distraction incident to late arrivals at performances.

In accordance with the invention the article includes a seat which is mounted to receive a three-fold movement, pivotal, sliding I and folding, whereby ample space may be had between adjacent rows of seats for the passage of persons and for sweeping and floor cleaning.

This invention contemplates a chair embodying a frame, a seat carrier pivoted to the frame to fold, a rest for the seat slidable on the carrier to move forwardly and rearwardly, and a seat pivoted upon the rest to turn about an axis perpendicular to the rest and carrier. I

While the drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention it is to be understood that in adapting the means to meet specific needs and requirements the design may be varied and such other changes in the minor details of construction may be resorted to within the scope of the invention as claimed without departing from the spirit thereof.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof, reference is to be had to the following description and the drawings hereto attached, in which,

Figure 1 is a top view of an adjustable chair embodying the invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical, central, sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a top plan View of the chair, the dotted lines showing an adjusted position of the seat.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the seat rest, the pivot connection of the seat therewith being in section.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the seat carrier upon which the seat rest is slidably mounted to move forwardly and rearwardly.

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view of the seat and seat rest. I

Figure 7 is a sectional view of the seat carrier on the line 7-7 of Figure 5, looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing a portion of the seat rest in position thereon.

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail view showing the catch between the seat carrier and rest to hold the latter in its forward position.

Qorresponding and like parts are referred to 1n the following description and designated in the several views of the drawing by like reference characters.

- The chair comprises a frame which, in the embodlment shown, includes similar side pleces which are connected by means of tie rods 1 upon which are mounted spacing sleeves 2 for holding the side pieces apart the predetermined distance. Each of the side pleces embodies an upright 3, a brace 4, and. a forward extension 5. The lower portion of the upright 3, together with the brace 4, forms legs, which support the frame in upright position. An arm rest 6 projects forwardly from each of the uprights 3 and may be suitably upholstered. A suitable back 7 1s secured to the upper portion of the part 3 and may serve as connecting means therefor. The seat carrier 7 is shown most clearly in Figure 5 and comprises an open or skeleton.

frame which is preferably cast. The forward portion of the seat carrier curves to obviate the formation of corners, whereby provision is had for clearance when the seat is turned in one direction or the other to adsuitable connecting means engaging the elements provided upon the frame and carrier for their reception.

A plurality of balls 12 are fitted in sockets formed in the top side of the carrier 7 to reduce the friction of the rest in its forward and backward movement. Longitudinal grooves or channels 13 are formed in the top side of the rest 7 and receive helical springs 14 which normally urge the scat rest 15 forwardly. The springs 14; are connected at their front ends to pins 16 projecting upwardly from the carrier 7, and at their rear ends to pins 17 depending from the rear portion of the seat rest 15. In this manner the springs 14 are housed and protected. Front and rear guide pins 18 are provided upon the carrier 7, and engage a centrally disposed longitudilllS nal guide groove or channel 19 formed in the bottom side of the seat rest 15. In this manner the seat rest is directed in its forward and backward movement. The heads'of the'guide pins 18 are of wedge form. as shown most clearly in Figures 1 and 6, and the guide groove or channel 19 is of corresponding shape in cross section to prevent displacement of the seat rest 15 from the seat carrier 7. The seat rest 15 is normally held at its forward position by means of theisprings'li and rearwarddisplac'ement is prevented by means of a sprin actuated catch 20 fitted into the seat earrier 7,"as shown most-clearly in Figure8.

I A plurality of balls 21 are fitted in sockets formed in the top side of the seat rest'15 and support the seat 22 which is rotatable thereon about a centrally disposed pivot 23 which engages both the seat and the seat rest. The

pivot 23 serves to retain the seat 22in position upon the seat rest 15. Two helical springs 24 having an arcuate arrangement, as shown most clearly in Figures 3 and .4, are fitted in an arcuate groove or channel 25 formed in the seat rest 15 concentric with the pivot 23. The outer ends of the springs 24 are fastened to pins 26 applied to the seat rest 15, and the inner ends engage a pin 27 depending from the seat 22. The springs 24 operate to normally hold the seat 22 in predetermined position. Rotationof the seat 22, either to the right or to the left, tensions the spring 24 and, as a result, the seat is automatieally returned to normal position when'relieved of the force exerted to turn the same.

The seat 22 may be of any construction and its bottom side has a wear plate 28 applied thereto to strengthen the seat and-to sustain the wear I incident to contact with the balls 21.

It will be readily understood from the foregoing description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, that the seat 22 has a three-fold movement, whereby it is adapted to fold, to slide forwardly and backwardly and to turn about the pivot 23 which is perpendicular to the several parts. When the carrier 7 is turned upwardly the seat folds therewith, thereby giving a maximum space between adjacent rowsof seats .for sweeping and floor cleaning. When the seat is lowered and occupied the person may move backwardly with the seat and at the same time turn either to the right or to the. left to provide a passage way between the seat and the chair immediately in front so that a per-' son may pass to or from a seat in a row beyond that which is occupied without the necessity of the personseated rising. This adustment of the seat iselfected against tension of two sets of springs and when the rest slidable upon the carrier force exerted to adjust the seat has been relieved the springs 14 and 24 regaining their normal positions return the seat to the prede wardly and rearwardly on the seat carrier and a seat pivotally mounted upon-the seat rest to' turn about a perpendicular axis.

2. The combination with a supporting frame, and a seat-carrier pivoted thereon to swing vertically, of'a seat rest slidably mounted thereon, spring means between the rest and carrier for normally maintaining the parts in predetermined position, and a seat pivotally mounted upon the seat rest.

3. Thecombination witha seat carrier, a seat rest slidably mounted thereon, spring means between the rest and carrier for normally maintaining the paflts in predetermined position, a seat pivota y mounted upon the seat rest, and sprin means between the seat and rest to normaly Iiold the seat in given position.

4. The f-combination with a. seat carrier, 0. seat rest thereon, slidable forwardly and backwardly, guide means between the rest and carrier, spring means between the rest forward position, and a seat pivotally mounted upon the rest to turn about a perpendicular axis, and spring means between the seat and rest to normally hold the seat in given wardly and rearwardly, a seat rest slidable upon the carrier forwardly and backwardly, and a seat pivoted to the rest to turn about a perpendicular axis.

6. A chair comprising a su porting frame, a folding carrier pivoted to t e frame, a seat forwardly and guide means between the rest and carrier, spring means normally holding the seat rest in forward position, a catch to prevent casual rearward movement of the seat rest, a seat pivoted to the rest to turn about a perpendicular axis and spring means between the seat and rest to normally hold the seat in given position.

In testimon whereof I aflix m j J O M. BIRDSALIZ. il Ll] backwardly,

and carrier to normally hold the 'seatrest in 

